The partners are being honored for environmental achievements to prevent and recycle waste, and for specific programs that go beyond current federal standards to reduce greenhouse gases and remove harmful chemicals.

“WasteWise and NPEP members continue to develop economically sustainable ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste,” said Matt Hale, director of EPA’s Office of Resource, Conservation and Recovery. “Last year’s partners reported that 11 million tons of materials that would otherwise be waste were eliminated from the waste stream or were recycled. This provides tremendous benefits to the environment.”

WasteWise inducted two of its members, Kitsap County, Wash. and NEC Electronics America, Inc., Roseville, Calif. into the WasteWise Hall of Fame for their sustained program performance over the years.

Since its inception in 1994, WasteWise partners have helped prevent and recycle more than 160 million tons of non-hazardous waste. Since 2004, NPEP partners have reduced 18 million pounds of priority chemicals, including lead and mercury.

WasteWise and NPEP are both voluntary programs with a combined total of more than 3,000 members from private and public organizations nationwide.

Endorser of the Year – Exel – Lockport.

Partner of the Year – College/University: Rutgers the State University of New Jersey; Large Business: Genzyme Corporation – MA Sites; Local Government: City of Clifton, N.J. - Recycling Program; Midsize Business: Frito-Lay Beloit, Wis.; Non-profit: University of Chicago Medical Center; School/School District: Dimensions of Learning Academy; Small Business: FetterGroup; State Government: Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation/Office of Environmental Assistance; Very Large Business: The Walt Disney Company; and Federal Government: U.S. Postal Service - Western Area.

Below is the list of the 2009 Award Winners (in alphabetical order) for their participation in the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities and their efforts in reducing and/or recycling hazardous chemicals in their organization: